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Cranford, NJ

Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge: AG Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge: AG
Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge: AG Cranford police officers who fatally shot a Perth Amboy man on the Garden State Parkway in December 2023 will not face charges, the state attorney general's office announced Friday, Oct. 25. On Thursday, Dec. 28, officers from the Cranford Police Department were pursuing a stolen vehicle when it crashed in the area of Exit 131 on the Parkway southbound, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.  After the crash, the driver of the vehicle, Kevin Harlfinger, exchanged gunfire with Cranford Police Officers Christopher Folinusz and Ryan McSharry, Platkin said. Harlfinger was pronounced d…
Man Wanted For Unlawfully Possessing Weapon In Somerset County: Prosecutor Man Wanted For Unlawfully Possessing Weapon In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Man Wanted For Unlawfully Possessing Weapon In Somerset County: Prosecutor A 37-year-old man is at large after he unlawfully possessed a handgun in Somerset County in June 2021, authorities said. James Schoenknecht was named Somerset County's Fugitive of the Month for August by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. He has remained at large since he was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a prohibited weapon or device since an incident that occurred on June 26, 2021 in Sound Bound Brook. Schoenknecht is believed to be in Cranford or Naples, Fla, authorities said. Anyone with information on Schoenknecht's whereabouts should contac…
These 23 New Jersey Athletes Are At The Paris Olympic Games: Here's When To Watch These 23 New Jersey Athletes Are At The Paris Olympic Games: Here's When To Watch
These 23 New Jersey Athletes Are At The Paris Olympic Games: Here's When To Watch The Paris Olympics have begun!  And, in case you missed it, several of Garden State's fittest and most athletic residents are there (scroll for their names, sports, and hometowns). A total of 23 athletes from New Jersey have qualified for the Olympics and are ready to make their run at the gold. Events kicked off Friday, July 26. Click here for a complete schedule of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Garden State athletes include: Paxten Aaronson, of Medford: Soccer Bam Adebayo, of Newark, and 2020 Olympian: Basketball Jack Alexy, of Morristown: Swimming Jackie Dubrovich, of Riverda…
Thousands Without Power Amid Storms, Brutal Heatwave In New Jersey Thousands Without Power Amid Storms, Brutal Heatwave In New Jersey
Thousands Without Power Amid Storms, Brutal Heatwave In New Jersey Thousands of New Jersey residents were without power as temperatures spiked and storms swept through on Saturday, June 22. In Rutherford, a "quick but powerful" storm took down five trees including 14 significant limbs and 13 power lines, Police Chief John Russo said. One family was displaced due to a tree impacting their home and most of the 3,500 residents that PSE&G said lost power were on the west side of town, according to Russo. Six PSE&G crews were on scene as of press time "PSEG mobilized very quickly as usual and quickly had half of those without power back up and running,…
Dad, Motorcyclist Killed In Crash On NJ Turnpike: State Police Dad, Motorcyclist Killed In Crash On NJ Turnpike: State Police
Dad, Motorcyclist Killed In Crash On NJ Turnpike: State Police A 37-year-old Monmouth County motorcyclist was killed in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in Newark on Saturday June 8, authorities said. At 2:31 a.m. Ryan Schamlz, a Keyport resident, was opearting a Harley Davidson south on the ramp of the Turnpike by Interchange 14 when he crashed into an international truck hauling a utility trailer that was stopped on the access road at the intersection, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. Schmalz suffered fatal injuries, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said.  I have no words right no…
Late-Night Drunken Assault Near Meadowlands Sends One Man To Hospital, Other To Jail Late-Night Drunken Assault Near Meadowlands Sends One Man To Hospital, Other To Jail
Late-Night Drunken Assault Near Meadowlands Sends One Man To Hospital, Other To Jail A drunken man was hospitalized and another jailed for assaulting him at a private industrial garage in Rutherford, authorities said. The 40-year-old victim from Cranford approached an East Rutherford police officer who was fueling his patrol vehicle at the Rutherford DPW garage on Highland Cross -- just off northbound Route 17 near the Meadowlands -- around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Police Chief John Russo said.  He was bleeding from a head wound, the chief said. "It was determined he was assaulted by an acquaintance at a private industrial garage where both were at that eveni…
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
NJ School Closings: These Districts Have Early Dismissals Ahead Of Snow Storm NJ School Closings: These Districts Have Early Dismissals Ahead Of Snow Storm
NJ School Closings: These Districts Have Early Dismissals Ahead Of Snow Storm School districts across New Jersey have begun announcing schedule changes for Friday, Jan. 19, ahead of the second snow storm of the week. Parts of the state could see up to six inches of snow, expected to begin falling between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said. The following districts have early dismissals: Cranford Dumont Franklin Lakes Hackensack Hanover Park Regional HS Lyndhurst Marlboro Maywood Millburn Mountainside North Arlington Oradell Parsippany-Troy Hills Pompton Lakes Rockaway Roselle Park Scotch Plains-Fanwood Totowa Warren Watchung/Watchung Hills R…
Ex-Con Killed In Shootout With Police On Garden State Parkway ID'd Ex-Con Killed In Shootout With Police On Garden State Parkway ID'd
Ex-Con Killed In Shootout With Police On Garden State Parkway ID'd New Jersey's top law officer on Monday identified a gunman who was killed in a shootout with Cranford police following a high-speed pursuit and crash on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge. Ex-con Kevin Harlfinger, a 40-year-old ex-con from Perth Amboy, was behind the wheel of a stolen white work van being pursued by Cranford officers when it crashed near Exit 131 shortly before midnight Dec. 28, according to a brief statement released on Monday, Jan. 8, by the office of Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin in Trenton. Harlfinger exchanged shots with the officers, wounding one of them, au…
Popular NJ Brunch Spot 'Toast' Unveils New Location Popular NJ Brunch Spot 'Toast' Unveils New Location
Popular NJ Brunch Spot 'Toast' Unveils New Location A popular and fast-growing brunch spot in New Jersey has opened another new location. Toast officially opened last week in Cranford at The Cranford Hotel on Walnut Street. The menu has something for everyone, including eggs galore, classic breakfast and lunch sandwiches, yogurt and grain bowls, pancakes and waffles, salads, and more. The eatery's flagship store opened in Montclair in May 2007, with the mantra "Peace, Love & Pancakes." Later came Red Bank and Asbury Park (click here for locations). Check out Toast in Cranford at 10 Walnut St. Come hungry.
Dump Truck Driver Killed In Head-On Crash With Another Dump Truck In Central Jersey: Police Dump Truck Driver Killed In Head-On Crash With Another Dump Truck In Central Jersey: Police
Dump Truck Driver Killed In Head-On Crash With Another Dump Truck In Central Jersey: Police A 46-year-old dump truck driver from Passaic County was killed in a head-on collision with another dump truck in Central Jersey, authorities said. The crash occurred at 9:42 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22. on Port Reading Avenue near Lee Street, Woodbridge police said. The dump trucks were traveling in opposite directions, police said. One truck traveling eastbound crossed over the double yellow line resulting in a collision with the other truck.  A driver from Woodland Park was found unconscious in the driver's seat.  CPR was initiated and the driver was transported to Robert Wood …
NJ Mom, 'Brilliant Mind' Amy Saccone Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle NJ Mom, 'Brilliant Mind' Amy Saccone Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle
NJ Mom, 'Brilliant Mind' Amy Saccone Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle Amy Saccone, a 43-year-old Cranford resident, died on Sunday, June 18 after a two-year battle with colon cancer, according to her obituary. Amy grew up in Matawan and attended Georgian Court University in Lakewood, having double majored in biology and chemistry, her obituary says. She worked in technical sales and product management and was an account executive for Catalent, according to her obituary. There are absolutely NO words to express the brokenness felt💔 I am not even going to try. If you know me, you know the... Posted by Susan Buccellato on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 A fundrais…
Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More
Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More Three Colombian nationals remain in federal custody and a fourth has already been deported after the government said they stole jewelry, a Rolex, an antique rifle, furs and cash in a home burglary in Union County. The quartet also took a stamp collection, luxury bags and more after breaking into the Cranford home shortly before 5 p.m. last Nov. 30, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. They then loaded the valuables into a red Honda Accord that they'd driven there, an FBI complaint on file in U.S. District Court in Newark says. Sellinger, who put the total value of the loss at more than …
Coach, Special Ed Teacher Filmed Sex Acts With Child: Prosecutor Coach, Special Ed Teacher Filmed Sex Acts With Child: Prosecutor
Coach, Special Ed Teacher Filmed Sex Acts With Child: Prosecutor A former wrestling coach and special education teacher has admitted to having sexual contact with a child, authorities said. John.Denuto, 46, of Spotswood pleaded guilty to child endangerment and other offenses on Friday, April 14, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Denuto, a former special education teacher at the Sayreville Middle School and former wrestling coach at numerous other schools and organizations who exploited his position as both a teacher and a wrestling coach to meet and abuse his victims was initially arrested on February 15, …
Young North Jersey Entrepreneur Has Message For The Non-Believers Young North Jersey Entrepreneur Has Message For The Non-Believers
Young North Jersey Entrepreneur Has Message For The Non-Believers One of North Jersey's newest business owners is also one of the area's youngest. At just 19 years old, Kamily Flores opened Craft Protein Bar in Cranford last November. And she's got a message for the non-believers:  "Don't underestimate us." The Elizabeth resident grew up watching her parents run a cafe of their own and knew quickly, she wanted to the same. "I grew up around entrepreneurial spirit," said Flores, a business marketing major at Union County College. "We like to work for ourselves." Flores felt her age worked to her advantage. "I'm young, I have nothing to lose," she told…
Driver Fatally Shoots Himself On Garden State Parkway: State Police Driver Fatally Shoots Himself On Garden State Parkway: State Police
Driver Fatally Shoots Himself On Garden State Parkway: State Police A driver fatally shot himself in a vehicle on the Garden State Parkway overnight, authorities said. State troopers patrolling the highway found a vehicle on the right shoulder at milepost 139 in Cranford around 3:30 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan said. Upon approaching the vehicle, troopers saw a deceased man with one self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head, Marchan said. The incident remains under investigation and there was no additional information available.
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report $1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report Four suspended police officers from Edison were paid $1.4 million during the two years they awaited trial for billing the town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, NJ Advance Media reports. The officers have been on paid suspension ever since, but were put on unpaid leave earlier this month when new indictments were announced against Sgt. Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory Makras, 38, of Cranford and Sgt. Brian Rossmeyer, 45, of Bridgewater, according to the outlet and Middlesex County Pr…
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor 4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said. The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14. They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers. Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…
Multiple Crashes Reported On Garden State Parkway Multiple Crashes Reported On Garden State Parkway
Multiple Crashes Reported On Garden State Parkway Rain was contributing to the number of crashes in Central and South Jersey during the evening rush on Thursday, Oct. 13, authorities said. There were multiple crashes on the Garden State Parkway. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, there were parkway crashes in Cranford, Sayreville, Little Egg Harbor, Ocean Township and Wall Township. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
PLOT TWIST: Attendant Helped Plan Gas Station Robbery Off Garden State Parkway, Feds Charge PLOT TWIST: Attendant Helped Plan Gas Station Robbery Off Garden State Parkway, Feds Charge
Plot Twist: Attendant Helped Plan Gas Station Robbery Off Garden State Parkway, Feds Charge Federal authorities charged a gas station attendant with planning the robbery of a newly-opened QuickChek where he worked just off the Garden State Parkway. An indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Newark accuses Tyrone Crutchfield-Davis, 27, of Linden of plotting the Dec. 15, 2019 holdup on North Avenue at Exit 137 in Cranford with three associates. Authorities had previously identified the other three men -- Wiggins Cadet, 24, and Khalil Brown, 23, of Roselle, and Zyquan McCray, 23, of Linden. It turns out Crutchfield-Davis -- a former standout high school quarterback with a cri…
PA Man, 27, Seriously Hurt In Fiery Garden State Parkway Crash PA Man, 27, Seriously Hurt In Fiery Garden State Parkway Crash
PA Man, 27, Seriously Hurt In Fiery Garden State Parkway Crash A 27-year-old driver from Allentown, PA was seriously hurt in an early-morning crash on the Garden State Parkway Sunday, June 26, authorities said. Mafer Fermin Pena was rear-ended by an Acura near mile post 137.9 on the northbound side of the highway in Cranford around 4:45 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Brandi Slota said. The Mazda traveled off the roadway to the right and struck a tree, and the Acura subsequently caught fire. Pena was hospitalized with serious injuries. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Convicted NJ Child Porn Trafficker Gets 20+ Years In Fed Pen, No Parole, For Enticing Minors Convicted NJ Child Porn Trafficker Gets 20+ Years In Fed Pen, No Parole, For Enticing Minors
Convicted NJ Child Porn Trafficker Gets 20+ Years In Fed Pen, No Parole, For Enticing Minors A convicted child porn trafficker from Union County must spend no fewer than 20 years in federal prison for doing it again while soliciting two children to "engage in sexually explicit conduct online," authorities said. Christopher Gardiner, 39, of Cranford, must serve out just about all of the plea-bargained 20 years and eight months that he was sentenced to on Tuesday, Feb. 8, because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Gardiner, who'd been convicted of similar charges in Union County in 2007, conducted an "ongoing sexually graphic conversation on a web-based social media appl…
How Much Snow Did You Get? These Are Totals By Town In New Jersey How Much Snow Did You Get? These Are Totals By Town In New Jersey
How Much Snow Did You Get? These Are Totals By Town In New Jersey New Jerseyans on Friday woke up to several inches of snow on the ground in the first major storm for some and second for others this week. Most of the state got somewhere between four and six inches, according to the National Weather Service. Areas in Sussex County got the last amount of snow, average between 1.8 and 3 inches. The most amount of snow seems to have landed in parts of Bergen and Gloucester counties: 6 to 7.3 inches. Here are the averages across New Jersey from north to south, according to the National Weather Service's legend: Newton: 3 inches Lake Hopatcong: 3.6 Jefferson…
NJ Man Gets Nearly 6 Years In Fed Pen For Downloading Hundreds Of Child Porn Images NJ Man Gets Nearly 6 Years In Fed Pen For Downloading Hundreds Of Child Porn Images
NJ Man Gets Nearly 6 Years In Fed Pen For Downloading Hundreds Of Child Porn Images A Union County man is headed to federal prison for nearly six years for downloading more than 600 images of child sexual abuse. Joseph Hinksmon, 42, of Cranford, will have to serve just about all of the 70-month plea-bargained sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Hinksmon was arrested by the FBI after downloading the videos and photos during a two-week period in July 2019, authorities said. Rather than go to trial, the former NJIT academic scholar took a deal from the government, pleading guilty via videoconference with a U.S. District Court judge in Newark in e…
NJSP: Driver, 70, Killed In Labor Day Weekend Crash On Garden State Parkway NJSP: Driver, 70, Killed In Labor Day Weekend Crash On Garden State Parkway
Njsp: Driver, 70, Killed In Labor Day Weekend Crash On Garden State Parkway UPDATE: A 70-year-old driver from Middlesex County was killed in a Labor Day weekend crash on the Garden State Parkway, authorities confirmed. The mid-2000 model Ford 500 sedan driven by Rick Attanasio, ran off the road in the southbound lanes at the Exit 137 ramp in Cranford and hit a metal traffic post before slamming into a tree at noon Saturday, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Philip Curry said. A medical chopper landed on the Parkway but was dismissed after Cranford firefighters extricated Attanasio. State Police were investigating the cause, Curry said. The crash occurred around no…
UPDATE: Labor Day Weekend Crash Closes Southbound Garden State Parkway UPDATE: Labor Day Weekend Crash Closes Southbound Garden State Parkway
Update: Labor Day Weekend Crash Closes Southbound Garden State Parkway A 70-year-old driver from Middlesex County was killed in a Labor Day weekend crash on the Garden State Parkway, responders said. The mid-2000 model Ford 500 sedan driven by Rick Attanasio, ran off the road in the southbound lanes at the Exit 137 ramp in Cranford and hit a metal traffic post before slamming into a tree at noon Saturday, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Philip Curry said. A medical chopper landed on the Parkway but was dismissed after Cranford firefighters extricated Attanasio. State Police were investigating the cause, Curry said ****** ALSO SEE: One passenger was killed…
TONIGHT: 3 New Jersey Natives Compete For Love On 'The Bachelorette' TONIGHT: 3 New Jersey Natives Compete For Love On 'The Bachelorette'
Tonight: 3 New Jersey Natives Compete For Love On 'The Bachelorette' Three New Jersey natives will be competing on the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" airing on ABC Monday, June 7. This season's lead is 30-year-old Katie Thurston, a bank marketing manager from Washington who appeared on Matt James' season of "The Bachelor." The New Jersey natives competing on this season include: Cranford native Jeff Caravello, 31: The former Cranford track and field coach lives in Brooklyn and works as a sales specialist at Integra LifeSciences. He graduated from Wagner College, where he was a pole vaulter. Edison native Greg Grippo, 27: Originally cast for Clare Cr…
Union County Man Admits Downloading Hundreds Of Child Porn Images Union County Man Admits Downloading Hundreds Of Child Porn Images
Union County Man Admits Downloading Hundreds Of Child Porn Images A Union County man admitted in federal court Tuesday that he downloaded more than 600 images of child sexual abuse. Joseph Hinksmon, 41, of Cranford, was arrested by the FBI after downloading the videos and photos during a two-week period in July 2019, authorities said. Rather than go to trial, the former NJIT academic scholar took a deal from the government, pleading guilty via videoconference with a U.S. District Court judge in Newark to receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi scheduled sentencing for Sept. 23. Honig credited special agents of the FBI with the…
GOT 'EM: 10 New Jersey Johns Busted In Newark Prostitution Sting GOT 'EM: 10 New Jersey Johns Busted In Newark Prostitution Sting
GOT 'EM: 10 New Jersey Johns Busted In Newark Prostitution Sting Ten johns from across New Jersey arrested in a Newark prostitution sting, authorities said Friday. A Newark police operation aimed at reducing prostitution in the South Ward  began Thursday night and ended Friday morning around East Bigelow Street and Sherman Avenue, according to Newark Public Safety Director Brian A. O’Hara. The following men were charged with solicitation of prostitution, according to police. William Hazell, 36, of Brooklyn;  Naeem Kornegay, 39, of Cranford;  Tashawn Jones, 37, of Elizabeth;  Rahim A. Brown, 41, of Linden;  Douglas E. Hoffm…
SPOILER: Meet The 3 New Jersey Natives Competing On 'The Bachelorette' SPOILER: Meet The 3 New Jersey Natives Competing On 'The Bachelorette'
Spoiler: Meet The 3 New Jersey Natives Competing On 'The Bachelorette' Three New Jersey natives will be competing on the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette" on ABC. The contestants on Katie Thurston's were revealed in a series of Instagram posts by Reality Steve on Thursday. The New Jersey natives competing for a chance at love with Thurston include: Cranford native Jeff Caravello, 31: The former Cranford track and field coach lives in Brooklyn and works as a sales specialist at Integra LifeSciences. He graduated from Wagner College, where he was a pole vaulter. Edison native Greg Grippo, 27: Originally cast for Clare Crawley's season but didn't make the f…
Construction Worker Warned Of Dangerous Conditions Day Before Deadly NJ Accident, Family Says Construction Worker Warned Of Dangerous Conditions Day Before Deadly NJ Accident, Family Says
Construction Worker Warned Of Dangerous Conditions Day Before Deadly NJ Accident, Family Says On Jan. 27, Drew Arntz told his family that the conditions at the Linden construction site he was working on were becoming too dangerous, according to his sister, Dawn Arntz. The following day, he died when his machine fell into icy waters, leaving him trapped in a pocket of air for nearly an hour. Drew, 55, of Allentown, PA, was being remembered by his sister as a "good man who loved life." Still, Dawn told Daily Voice, "he wanted off this job." Simpson and Brown Inc., of Cranford, was identified by OSHA as the employer. The company is also currently being investigated by OSHA for an em…